Today, the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) issued a statement supporting President Barack Obama’s nomination of Robert Califf, MD as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The ASAA Board of Directors are extremely pleased that President Obama nominated such a fine physician and researcher as Dr. Robert Califf as the next FDA commissioner. Over the last two years, members of the ASAA board and staff worked directly with Dr. Califf in the development of the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet), a large groundbreaking endeavor to bring patients and researchers together to transform clinical research through collaborative partnerships that leverage health data to advance medical knowledge and improve health care. We found him to be deeply committed to bringing people together to improve research and health care delivery to change lives for the better.

“As a patient co-investigator of a patient-powered research network and active member of several task forces in PCORnet, I had the pleasure of seeing how committed Dr. Califf was to respecting and promoting the views of patients into research and health care decisions. He is a brilliant researcher and a great communicator and bridge-builder. He will make a wonderful commissioner of the FDA,” said Adam Amdur, chief patient officer of the ASAA.

Dr. Robert Califf, M.D. is a recognized global leader in cardiology, clinical research, and medical economics. He is one of our nation’s leaders in the growing field of translational research, which is key to ensuring that advances in science translate into medical care.He was hired by former FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg in January as the FDA Deputy Commissioner for Medical Products and Tobacco.

Founded in 1990, the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) is a patient-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes awareness of sleep apnea, works for continuing improvements in treatments for this serious disease, and advocates for the interests of patients. Only patients and established patient advocates serve on its Executive Committee and Board of Directors.